This week I was fortunate to have the following article published in International Living magazine. Enjoy the road trip.
Day Tripping to Cerro Punta From Boquete, Panama
Living in Boquete, Panama, one is already immersed in a colorful landscape reminiscent of a painting, surrounded by nature where coffee trees cover the surrounding mountains and native citrus plants and flowers thrive in their respective micro-climates. One need not leave the “valley of flowers” or pastoral mountains surrounding the area to experience a wide range of scenic hikes and outdoor activities available in such a tranquil environment. And yet, everyone needs a road trip every now and then, if only to soothe the busy mind and leave the cares of daily life behind. A winding road trip through the mountains and over the scenic river crossings and waterfalls to Cerro Punta provides just such a therapeutic adventure.
On this particular Saturday morning in April, we began our adventure just as the rainy season was beginning to hint that it was rolling in. The overcast morning with mist gently falling provided the perfect mood for our day ahead. On any given day of the week but Saturday, Morton’s Bakery at San Francisco Plaza provides the ideal launching off spot to start your journey. Pack a couple of fresh bagels then take Ruta Sur Highway south away from the main highway that runs through town.
View from the Road
In Costa Rica the sun is already making its way up before 5am. This was my first morning to wake up in the mountainous area of Ciudad Colon in the Central Valley. On my early dawn walk just before 6am as I was making my way down the winding, quiet road, I passed this vista overlooking the lower valley. Somehow it set the tone for the day, and the week.
Field Notes
“People disappear when they die. Their voice, their laughter, the warmth of their breath. Their flesh. Eventually in their bones. All living memory of them ceases. This is both dreadful and natural. Yet for some there is an exception to this annihilation. For in the books they write they continue to exist. We can rediscover them. Their humor, their tone of voice, their moods. Through their written word they can anger you or make you happy. They can comfort you. They can perplex you. They can alter you. All this, even though they are dead. Like flies in amber, like corpses frozen in ice, that which according to the laws of nature should pass away is by the miracle of ink on paper, preserved. It is a kind of magic.”
-Diane Setterfield
This quote came in a note from a dear friend…..it was a reminder of why I got serious about sharing my writing and launching this newsletter. 3 years ago I realized how fragile life can be. I decided then that it wouldn’t do much good if everything I had written over the years died on my computer. So I decided to forget worrying about what people would think and simply share what I had. It is similar to being the musician playing on the street corner for tips. I wanted to make sure my website and my words would be online after I am gone. Perhaps one day many years from now, through the power of the internet, the right person will find my words.
From the Archives
Travel back in time on an adventure to China with this article from the archives. Become a Founding Member or Paid Subscriber and access all articles from the past five years.
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Kirk